Sell Us Stuff

YES YES YES! Of course we buy record and compact disc collections (and sometimes even book and DVD collections, please inquire). And we’ve been doing this for over 20 years, weekly, monthly, all the damn time, forever and ever. Everyone needs to sell things from time-to-time, and whether it’s pruning your vinyl collection or dumping EVERYTHING at once, Iris Records can help. Here are a few guidelines for those who might want to sell their collection(s):

1. During your initial email (recordriots@gmail.com) or call with us (609-468-0885, leave message if no one is there), please give us as much information as possible about what you want to sell. For example, how many records? How many CDs? What type of music? Details are important! While we do buy all genres of CDs, we are LESS interested in vinyl record collections that are primarily classical, opera, easy listening, pop vocals, big band and other non-rock genres. It’s not that we dislike these genres on vinyl, but we get enough in our travels and these records don’t sell particularly well. But remember that it’s not a problem if you have some classical vinyl mixed in with your Beatles albums. We can deal with some odd things in a rock, jazz or soul collection. (Note: We generally DO NOT buy 78s, unless the records are blues or early rock. You can always ask about this though.)

“What if I want to just STOP BY and sell you some records or CDs? Can I do this?” Well, in theory you can, but you better make sure that someone is around who is authorized to buy from you. Stephen (shop owner) is the ONLY authorized buyer, and he is not always around. Call first and make an appointment to stop by. Just “stopping by” will often not work. And don’t get mad at us—we told you!

Think of this first contact as a “get-to-know-each-other” session. We can each ask questions and decide if each of us wants to proceed. Remember: we don’t buy every collection that we are offered. Some are simply not our musical style, other times the chemistry between buyer and seller does not click. No offense taken or meant by any of this - it’s just business.(Sometimes we will even refer you to another record dealer---someone who might be a "better fit" with you.)

2. If we are making a “housecall,” please gather everything that you want to sell into one area of your house, basement, storage space, grotto. If you are not selling everything, go through the stuff before we get there and weed out what you want to keep. In other words, get it ready for us! It’s much easier and takes less time if your records and CDs are in one place and you are not grabbing keepsakes as we sort through it. (Same thing if you are bringing merchandise to the shop for sale. Weed through your inventory at home and keep what you want.) Make our life as simple as possible!

3. If you are taking your record collection off of shelves and want to "re-box" them for us to carry out after purchase, READ THIS CAREFULLY. Many customers (with the best intentions) buy giant tubs at Walmart or Target (you know, the ones with the lids). But they buy GIGANTIC containers, and when full, carrying these tubs is almost impossible. From our standpoint, if your collection is on shelves, consult with us about the issue of boxing your records up. We always have the proper container for "record removal" anyhow, so we can save you some money---and also save our poor backs!

4. There is no need to make a list or to catalog anything. We go through hundreds of collections a year and can do so easily without a list of what you have. It is far more helpful to have it organized in one place so we can examine it. Lists don’t really help at all because we have to see the collection to assess it. So don’t spent a lot of time on this—unless you really want to.

5. Yes, we buy ENTIRE collections (in most cases). Even if there are records or CDs that have no value, we cart them away and dispose of them. We generally do not “cherry-pick” your collection and only buy what we want, except in odd circumstances. Part of our mission is to find good stuff to resell, but also to help people deal with collections of things that they no longer want and need to move. We take this role seriously & try to help as much as possible. We can even give advice on how to dispose of non-music things. Not that we know everything (we don’t), but you can certainly ask.

6. And now the big question: how much do we pay??? Compact discs: They must have all artwork, be in their proper plastic cases, and must be in excellent condition. Prices range from .25 to .50 cents per disc, depending on the item. Certain CDs are worth around $1.00, but this is rare in 2017. Of course there are rarer CD collections floating around, but most people have standard fare, much like my own collection. The CD market is weak and getting weaker by the day, so I say SELL NOW :).

LPs: We are mostly looking for rock, soul, funk, blues, jazz, hiphop, 12″ dance records (country, novelty records, soundtracks are of less importance). Again, they must be in good/great condition. Remember that scratched/VERY used records have no value to anyone. LPs are judged by value of the album itself PLUS the condition. Most records are worth less than a dollar, and many are worth 25 cents (some are worth nothing at all). Some guidelines? Beatles/Stones/Pink Floyd $2-$12, Van Morrison/King Crimson/Leonard Cohen $2-$8, Eagles/Steely Dan/Neil Young/Harry Nilsson/The Doors $1-$5, Billy Joel/The Police/Carole King/Blondie/Sinatra fifty cents to a dollar or two. Jazz varies with pressings and artist. Miles Davis is worth more than Art Pepper and Dave Brubeck. Coltrane and Monk sell better than 80s and 90s jazz. Yes we buy soul records, but 60s and 70s recordings will fetch you more $$$ than r&b from the 90s. (Does this help at all? I could teach a class on this, but the opinions given would be only MY opinion. Other record dealers see the playing field differently).

To make an appointment, just write us an email or give us a call. Give us a general idea about where the LPs/CDs are located, so we can work you into our pick-up schedule. And please be patient. We try to deal with all inquiries as soon as possible, but sometimes our calendar gets backed up. Sorry if it takes a while to look at what you have for sale. Please contact us again if somehow you “fall through the cracks.” It’s nothing personal, but we are a small company and can’t be everywhere all at once. Thanks!